Pavilion marks start of Golden Gate’s 75th anniversary

A pavilion marking the Golden Gate Bridge’s 75th anniversary has opened to the public, providing a place for visitors to learn more about the history of the famous span.

The 3,500-square-foot building opened its doors Tuesday, and is located at the southeast end of the bridge. The official anniversary is May 27, 2012, and the pavilion is meant to celebrate the famous structure and provide insight into its design and engineering.

An 18-foot-tall bridge tower built in 1933 is the pavilion’s centerpiece. It was made a Princeton University to determine stress loads the structure could endure.

About $5 million was spent on the pavilion and related improvements, including parking upgrades and trail improvements.

The money was raised privately by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and the bridge district.